JPH11110359A - Distributed network computer system, information exchanging device used in system, information exchanging method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continuously perform work that is equal to work in an office even in a mobile computing environment, to appropriately cope with communication disconnection in which communication is interrupted halfway and also to effectively utilize a terminal device even at data processing work, or the like, which needs a long time. SOLUTION: A server computer 15 where an accessing part 151, a security part 152, an application function converting part 153 and an application service offering part 154 are provided internally and information terminals 11 to 13 are connected through a network 14. A connection information acquiring part of a different terminal information processing part that is provided in the part 153 offers state restoration information at the time of line disconnection. With this, it is possible to perform state restoration at the time of line disconnection between the computer 15 and the terminals 11 to 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to information exchange in a distributed network computing system connecting a plurality of terminal devices, and more particularly to a public network or a wired LAN (Local Area Network).
etwork), multiple types of communication networks such as wireless LAN,
A distributed network computer that provides application services of various application software, such as an inventory management service, to various terminal devices having different processing capabilities, such as portable information terminals, personal computers (PCs), and portable PCs connected to these communication networks. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an information exchange apparatus, an information exchange method, and a computer readable storage medium storing program information of the information exchange method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional computer-based information processing includes:
A centralized processing system in which a plurality of terminals are connected to one main computer and used is mainly used. In contrast, a distributed system is configured such that a plurality of computers are connected via a network or the like, share resources owned by each computer, and can perform efficient processing. An environment for distributing application software among different models is called a distributed computing environment.

In a network environment that realizes distributed computing, a user does not need to be conscious of where programs and data are specially located. Logically, the entire network appears as if it were a single computer, so that the user can use necessary information and functions from his own operation environment.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In addition to miniaturization and high performance of portable information terminal equipment, for example, mobile terminal equipment, PD
C (Personal Digital Cellular) and PHS (Personal
With the spread of mobile communications such as the Handyphone System),
Mobile computing has become a reality. For example, by combining a PHS with a notebook PC (Personal Computer), e-mails can be called from outside the company,
It has become easy to refer to information on the WW (World Wide Web). On the other hand, because of the mobile environment, there is a restriction that the same operability as in the office cannot be expected outside the office.

[0005] For example, there are restrictions such as that communication may be interrupted on the way and that the screen of the mobile terminal device is so small that it is difficult to see the screen. Further, under the mobile computing environment, part of the work that could only be performed in the office until now can be performed from outside the company, and time can be saved and quick processing can be performed. As an initial usage form, an electronic mail check and a bulletin board check can be considered. Furthermore, in order to refer to data that only exists in the office,
In the past, work that once went back to the office can now be referred to at the customer. As described above, it is possible to perform not only the same work as being inside the company even when outside the company, but also a business form that cannot be realized in the conventional environment becomes possible.

[0006] By the way, in a system form in mobile computing, a plurality of models can be considered depending on a main part of communication. here,
Assume a client-driven model that uses a server computer in an office from a mobile terminal device. In addition, there are those that control the terminal devices from the server computer based on information from the mobile terminal devices, and those that use the server computer as a hub for connecting the mobile terminal devices.

On the other hand, there are many restrictions related to access to data in the office by using mobile communication.
At the moment, problems such as line speed, line quality, security, etc. are considered.

[0008] As shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-16500, conversion of attribute data to be managed in a network management system, and conversion of telephone and data communication application programs as shown in US Pat. No. 5,572,675. However, this does not solve the above-mentioned problems that occur in the system form of mobile computing.

In addition, in a network computing environment such as mobile computing as described above, for example, if the line connecting the terminal device and the server computer is disconnected for any reason, before the line is disconnected, The work done on the terminal equipment and the server computer had no meaning at all, and it was necessary to do the same again. In addition, in a network computing environment such as mobile computing as described above, when a terminal device instructs a server computer to perform a long-time data processing operation, the terminal device performs processing of the previous operation on the server computer. I had to wait in line connection until it was completed. In addition, during this time, no other work or the like can be performed on the terminal device side, which is very inconvenient.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and solves the above-mentioned disadvantages so that the same operation as in an office can be continuously performed in a mobile computing environment. Enables the provision of application services according to the processing capacity, and enables the provision of application services according to the communication capacity of the communication infrastructure even when a plurality of communication infrastructures coexist. A distributed network computing system that can appropriately deal with disconnection and can effectively utilize terminal equipment even in data processing work that requires a long time, an information exchange device, an information exchange method, and an information exchange device used in this system An object of the present invention is to provide a computer-readable storage medium storing program information of an information exchange method. .

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus that provides application services such as various application software, and various terminal devices that receive application services from the information processing apparatus. A distributed network computing system comprising a communication network connecting the information processing device and the terminal device, wherein a network connection means for interconnecting networks, and an information exchange device provided in the network connection means. The information exchange apparatus includes an access control unit that manages a connection process from the terminal, a security control unit that determines the authentication of the terminal with respect to the access control unit, and an information exchange device based on information from the security control unit. The service content of the application service provided to the terminal A function conversion unit that converts data into a suitable format; and a connection control unit that manages a connection state with the terminal device and controls to provide a service content converted by the function conversion unit based on the connection state. I did it.

In the above configuration, the access control means controls the terminal to execute a process by an appropriate connection management method and a procedure control method.

[0013] Further, in the above configuration, the security control means is configured to execute an encryption process by an appropriate method for the terminal when providing the application service.

Further, in the above configuration, when the security control unit issues a new identifier, the security control unit, the access control unit, and the function conversion unit can have a unified view regarding the information terminal to be accessed. It is characterized by having.

Further, in the above configuration, the function conversion means includes means for managing information on the terminal, and means for managing information on an interface on the application service and realizing communication with the application service. It is characterized by the following.

Further, in the above configuration, the function conversion means converts the data into a format suitable for the terminal based on a communication system used by the terminal.

Further, in the above configuration, the connection control means can continue data transmission from a position interrupted when the line is disconnected, based on a history of data conversion by the function conversion means and a history of a connection state with the terminal equipment. It is characterized by the following.

According to such a configuration, work equivalent to work in the office can be continuously performed in a mobile computing environment. In other words, it is possible to provide an application service according to the processing capacity of each terminal device, and even when a plurality of communication infrastructures are mixed, it is possible to provide an application service according to the communication capacity of the communication infrastructure, and furthermore, the communication can be performed in the middle. It is possible to appropriately cope with communication disconnection in which communication is interrupted. In addition, the terminal device can be effectively used even in a data processing operation requiring a long time.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a network computing system.

Information terminals (terminal equipment) 11, 12, and 13 used outdoors (outside the office) are connected to a server computer 15 installed indoors (in the office) via a network 14, and are connected outside the office. It is used as a network computing system. Here, the information terminal 11 is a telephone information terminal device having an intelligent function, and the information terminal 12 is a portable information terminal device (eg, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistan).
t)), the information terminal 13 is a portable personal computer (PC). It should be noted that the user of these terminal devices is not shown in the portable information terminals 11, 12, and 13 but in the information terminals 17 and 18, for example, in offices and homes or in offices. A desired operation may be performed using a desktop terminal device or the like.

The network 14 to which the information terminals 11, 12, and 13 are connected is a network infrastructure such as a public telephone line, a dedicated line, or the Internet. Physically, there are both wired and wireless cases. The network 14 is connected to an indoor server computer 15.

The server computer 15 is connected to a floppy disk device (FDD) 19, a hard disk device (HDD) 20, and a CD-ROM device 21 as external storage devices.
2. Application function converter 153 and application service provider 1
54 is installed inside. Here, the access unit 151 controls access from an information terminal such as dial-up access. The security unit 152 manages security management functions such as authentication of a user who attempts access through the network 14. The application function conversion unit 153
The information used by an application function described later is converted based on attribute information describing the type of information that can be used by the information terminal user. With this information conversion function, a terminal user can use a network computing system using various terminals and network infrastructure. The application service providing unit 154 is for the terminal user to provide and receive a service from a (network) computer system. For example, DBMS (DatabaseManageme) such as word processing software and other OA systems for personal use, e-mail, document database, groupware / information system including group schedule management, and inventory management system
nt System). The application service providing unit 154 may function so as to provide a plurality of application services.

The network 1 is connected to the server computer 15.
The information terminals 17 and 18 connected via 6 are used when a terminal user uses an applied function in an office or an office. Here, network 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes a highly reliable communication medium in a communication infrastructure including a wired LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless LAN, and infrared communication. The users of the information terminals 17 and 18 can access the access unit 151 and the security unit 15.
2. The application service of the server computer 15 can be directly received from the application service providing unit 154 without passing through the application function converting unit 153.

Although FIG. 1 shows one server computer as an example, it goes without saying that each function of the server computer may be distributed among a plurality of computers for each function.

By the way, when a network computing system is constructed, use of various information terminal devices, use of unstable communication infrastructure, security, use of various applied functions, etc. There are some problems caused by the above.

In this embodiment, an information conversion device for solving these problems will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the internal structure of the access unit 151. For example, an indoor server computer 1
Protocols currently used as standard for dial-up services to PPP 5 include PPP (Point to Point P).
rotocol). The access using the PPP may be used from the information terminal 12 or the information terminal 13, but is unlikely to be used from the information terminal 11. This is because the information processing capability of the information terminal 11 is
This is because the information processing function for controlling the PPP protocol is less likely to be implemented, as compared with the information terminal 13 and the information terminal 13 because they are relatively low.

More specifically, it is assumed that the information terminal 11 can access only by non-procedural control. Therefore, the non-procedural access unit 1511 that enables such non-procedural access and the procedural access unit 151 that enables procedural access represented by PPP.
2 is mounted on the access unit 151. Further, as will be described later, the access unit 151 has a function of an external interface of the server computer 15 to the network 14 by communicating with the security unit 152 and the application function conversion unit 153 (communication within the server). Accordingly, the access unit 151 has an internal communication unit 1513 having an internal communication interface function for communicating with other components in the server computer 15 and an external communication interface function for communicating outside the server computer 15. Is mounted. In the actual implementation, the non-procedural access unit 1511 and the procedural access unit 1
The non-procedural access unit 1511 and the procedural access unit 1512 may have an internal / external communication function so that the 512 can independently perform internal communication and external communication. Further, the external communication unit 1514 is provided with a communication port for identifying what kind of information terminal is being accessed. That is, the access from the information terminal 11 and the ports accessed from the information terminals 12 and 13 are distinguished by a difference in the telephone number to be accessed. By recognizing the telephone number of the information terminal to be accessed (recognition of the caller telephone number), the access unit 151 refers to, for example, an access identification information table (not shown) provided internally, and Needless to say, the configuration may be such that the type can be determined.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the internal structure of the security unit 152. The security unit 152 includes an authentication processing unit 1521 that performs user authentication processing, and an encryption processing unit 1522 that encrypts data in the networks 14 and 16 and communication data in the server computer 15. In addition, set personal authentication information and encryption availability information /
The personal information management unit 1523 to be managed is also the security unit 15.
2 exists. Further, the security unit 152 includes an internal communication unit 152 having an internal communication interface function for communicating with other components in the server computer 15.
4 is implemented. In an actual implementation, an internal communication function may be provided in the authentication processing unit 1521 or the encryption processing unit 1522 without having the independent internal communication unit 1524.

In the data encryption processing, an encryption and decryption function is required between the communicating parties. Information on whether encryption is possible or not in each unit in the apparatus according to the present embodiment is managed by an encryption processing unit 1522.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the internal structure of the application function conversion unit 153. In a network computing system to which the present embodiment is applied,
Various information terminals exist as shown in FIG.
Describes information terminals 11, 12, and 13).
Therefore, it is necessary to provide a communication method suitable for these information terminals. For example, an attribute used by the WWW (World Wide Web) currently used as a standard in the field of the Internet and a terminal attribute for a specific nonprocedural terminal need to be clearly distinguished. For example, in the case of the latter non-procedure terminal, regarding the screen display, it is necessary to provide information from the application service providing unit 154 so that the screen can be displayed according to the screen size and display capability. Thus, the application-specific function conversion unit 153 includes a terminal-specific information processing unit 1531. Although the communication control method and the data screen display method differ depending on the information terminal used by the user, the information processing unit 153 for each terminal is different.
1 absorbs the difference. In an actual implementation, the terminal-specific information processing unit 1531 may be realized by providing a processing unit for each terminal attribute. Also, the terminal-specific information processing unit 1531
Has a communication interface function for communicating with other components in the server computer 15 and communicates with the access unit 151 and the security unit 152.

Next, the application function conversion section 153 sends the information terminal 11, 1 to the application service providing section 154.
The function of providing a service desired by the user to the user is realized by performing communication using a method suitable for the control method 2 or 13 or a control method thereof. For this purpose, an application service interface unit 1532 for communicating with the application service providing unit 154 is mounted. When the application service providing unit 154 is realized as software, the application function interface unit 1532 may be realized as software using an API (Application Programming Interface) provided by the application service providing unit 154. . Further, the application function conversion unit 153 has a conversion communication unit 1533 for distributing information between the terminal-specific information processing unit 1531 and the application function interface unit 1532. Due to this existence, the terminal-specific information processing unit 1531 does not need information about the application service providing unit 154, and the application function interface unit 153
2 does not require terminal attribute information. Further, the application function conversion unit 153 has a terminal information management unit 1534. The terminal information management unit 1534 has detailed information on information terminals, and the terminal-specific information processing unit 1531 performs information processing based on this information. In the actual implementation, when implemented as software, the information processing unit 15 for each terminal is used.
31 may be realized as an object inherited by the terminal information management unit 1534.

Next, the concept of the internal structure of the application function conversion unit 153 will be described in detail. As described above, the application function conversion unit 15
3 includes a terminal-specific information processing unit 1531, an application function interface unit 1532, and a conversion communication unit 1533.

As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal-specific information processing section 1531 includes a terminal-specific transmission / reception section 1531a, a user information storage section 1531b, and a connection information acquisition section 1531c.

The terminal-specific transmitting / receiving unit 1531a receives / transmits information based on the attribute of the information terminal used by the user of the present embodiment. Here, the attribute of the terminal means a procedure used by the terminal, a screen size, and the like. In an actual implementation, it may be realized as an inherited object with an object that stores the attribute of each terminal, or when a session (connection) with each terminal occurs as a separate object for each terminal. It may be realized by a method of starting.

The user information storage section 1531b obtains information such as an identifier existing in the personal information management section 1523 of the security section 152, and obtains the user when the terminal user accesses the application function via this embodiment. The information is provided in the terminal-specific information processing unit 1531.

The connection information acquisition unit 1531c includes an application service providing unit 154 via the information terminal and the apparatus of the present embodiment.
Manages connection (session) information. In particular, as described later, in the case of the line disconnection processing, the connection information acquisition unit 1531c provides information for restoring the state at the time of line connection.

FIG. 6 shows an application function interface unit 153.
2 is a conceptual diagram of the internal structure of FIG. The application function interface unit 1532 includes a data transmission / reception unit 1532a and an application function dependent processing unit 1532b.

The data transmitting / receiving section 1532a transmits and receives data when the application function interface section 1532 communicates with the conversion communication section 1533 and the application service providing section 154. In the actual implementation, the application service provider 1
The transmitting / receiving unit to 54 and the transmitting / receiving unit to the conversion communication unit 1533 may exist independently. When independent, the transmitting / receiving unit to the application service providing unit 154 can be realized as a software module using an API provided by the application service providing unit 154.

The purpose of the application function dependent processing unit 1532b is to perform actual information processing with the application service providing unit 154 using the data transmission / reception unit 1532a. or,
For example, a process of converting information from a basic standard document format to an information format dependent on application functions is also executed.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of the internal structure of the conversion communication unit 1533. The conversion communication section 1533 includes a data transmission / reception section 1533a, a terminal input information conversion section 1533b, an information format conversion section 1533c, and an applied function information interpretation section 1533.
d, and a basic structured document storage unit 1533e.

The data transmitting / receiving unit 1533a operates when the conversion communication unit 1533 communicates with the terminal-specific information processing unit 1531 and the application function interface unit 1532. still,
In an actual implementation, it may be realized as inheritance of an object having an attribute for each terminal.

The terminal input information converter 1533b functions as follows. That is, for example, in WWW, which is a standard user interface currently on the Internet, a user can move to a link destination by clicking a link point on the screen. However, this function may be realized by clicking an icon on the screen depending on the attribute of the terminal, or a method of selecting a number from a menu screen may be adopted. By using the present embodiment, such differences in terminal attributes can be absorbed in the present embodiment, and the same service can be provided to a user who uses any terminal. The entity that absorbs the difference in operability on the terminal is the terminal input information conversion unit 1533b. That is, for example, the case where an operation of selecting a number from the menu screen is performed and the case where a link point on the WWW is clicked are thereafter processed as equivalent.

The information format converter 1533c converts information transmitted from the terminal or the application service provider 154 into a common structured language format used in the present apparatus. In the implementation, for the sake of efficiency, information from the terminal is converted into a common format, and an object to be transmitted to the transmission / reception unit and an object to convert information from the application service providing unit 154 into a common format are converted into a common format. It may be realized as another object that inherits the conversion to.

The applied function information interpreting section 1533d interprets the information sent from the applied function interface section 1532 so that the information can be converted into a common structured language format used in the present apparatus.

The basic structured document storage unit 1533e stores conversion rule information referred to when the information format conversion unit 1533c converts the data into a common structured language format used in the apparatus.
Stores various conversion information.

The operation / action of the above configuration will be described below.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an access process from the information terminal on the server computer 15 side.
In particular, FIG. 8 shows the access unit 151 and the security unit 15.
2 is a flowchart showing the relationship between the application function conversion unit 153.

First, the information terminal sends the server computer 1
If there is an access to the information terminal 5, it is determined whether the access is from an information terminal inside or outside the office or from an information terminal outside or outside the office (step S802).

If the access is from the indoor / office (YES in step S802), that is, if the access is from the information terminal 17 or 18, the information terminals 17, 18
Receives the service directly from the application service providing unit 154 (step S804).

On the other hand, if the access is from an information terminal outside or outside the office (NO in step S802), the access unit 151 first receives the access (step S806). At this time, by having an interface for accessing each terminal and each communication infrastructure, attributes of the terminal and the like can be acquired.

Next, the access unit 151 requests the security unit 152 to confirm the validity of the access and the like (step S808). In this case, the necessity of authentication processing and encryption in the communication path is determined. The content of this determination is made based on the information of the personal information management unit 1523.

If the access is permitted by the security unit 152 (YES in step S810), the security unit 152 issues a new identifier. The issued identifier is confirmed by the access unit 151 (step S8).
12), and notifies the application function conversion unit 153 of the fact (step S814). Upon receiving the notification, the application function conversion unit 153 permits the application service providing unit 154 to access the application software desired by the information terminal (step S816).

If the access unit 151 determines from the result of the determination from the security unit 152 that the access is improper (NO in step S810), the access unit 151 issues an error notification to the user (step S818).

It is needless to say that, even if it is determined to be legitimate, the fact may be notified to the application function conversion unit 153 as well. At this time, the newly issued identifier is also notified to the application function conversion unit 153 at the same time. Thereby, the access unit 151, the security unit 152, the applied function conversion unit 1
There is a unified view of user access among the three parties. In this way, for example, even if the information terminal used is different, but the server computer 15 is accessed using the same password, the server computer 15 can reliably identify the communicating party, and Information can be provided.

As described above, the application service providing unit 15
The information terminal that has become able to access 4 receives the desired application service subjected to information exchange processing by the application service providing unit 154 according to the processing capability of the terminal and the type of communication infrastructure. This flow is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

When the processing capability of the information terminal is low (YES in step S902), for example, in the case of the telephone-type information terminal 11, it is also determined that the communication infrastructure used is low (step S904), and the application function conversion unit 153 determines Then, the application software is exchanged from the application service providing unit 154 into information for a nonprocedural information terminal such as converting binary data to text data (step S906), and the service is provided (step S906).
908).

On the other hand, when the processing capability of the information terminal is high (NO in step S902), for example, when the information terminal 12 or 13 is a PDA or a portable PC, it is determined that the used communication infrastructure is high (step S910). ),
The application function conversion unit 153 performs an information exchange process on the application software from the application service providing unit 154 into information for a procedural information terminal such as converting image data into symbol information (step S912), and provides a service (step S912). S908).

Incidentally, the server computer 15
Is configured so that the type of information terminal accessed from outside / outside the office and the type of communication infrastructure to be used are determined based on the communication port to be accessed. Alternatively, it is of course possible for the thirteen users to consciously receive the information exchanged service using the communication port having the lower information processing capability and the lower communication infrastructure.

As described above, the application service providing unit 154
The information terminal that has been able to access the terminal receives the desired application service subjected to the information exchange processing by the application service providing unit 154 according to the processing capability of the terminal and the type of communication infrastructure. When receiving the application service provision, it is desirable that the application service be subjected to encryption processing due to the problem of confidentiality. This processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the server computer 15 determines whether or not to perform encryption (step S100).
2). This determination may be made based on, for example, a communication port to be accessed and information from the security unit 152 and the application function conversion unit 153, or negotiating whether to encrypt the information terminal with the server computer 15 or not. The determination may be made based on this.

When encrypting (Y in step S1002)
ES), and the encryption method is determined (step S10).
04). This determination is made with reference to a table in the server computer 15 that stores information on the information terminal to be accessed. Then, the result of the determination by the server computer 15 is transmitted to the terminal, and negotiation is performed to confirm whether or not the determined encryption method is acceptable.

That is, if the server computer 15 determines that the processing capability of the information terminal and the capability of the communication infrastructure are low, and the terminal confirms that the information terminal is to be subjected to encryption processing, the security unit 152 executes the simple processing. A typical encryption process is performed (step S1006). If the information terminal does not recognize the encryption method determined by the server computer 15, an error notification is transmitted from the server computer 15 to the information terminal, and the encryption process is not performed (step S1010).

On the other hand, if the server computer 15 determines that the processing capability of the information terminal or the capability of the communication infrastructure is high, and the terminal confirms that the information terminal performs encryption processing that matches this information terminal, the security unit 152 sets the advanced level. (Step S1008). If the information terminal does not recognize the encryption method determined by the server computer 15, an error notification is transmitted from the server computer 15 to the information terminal, and the encryption process is not performed (step S1010).

It should be noted that a configuration may be adopted in which a terminal that cannot perform decryption processing is notified in advance that encryption processing will not be performed.

The encryption processing may be selectable according to the intention of the user using the terminal, or whether or not to perform the encryption processing may be set in advance according to the type of applied service to be provided. Then, it may be notified that the data is encrypted. Alternatively, a terminal that is determined to have low information processing capability of the information terminal and low reliability of the communication infrastructure may not be subjected to the encryption process from the beginning, and may be notified of the fact.

Further, it goes without saying that the compression processing may be performed according to the attributes of the terminal and the communication infrastructure.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The processing flow of the terminal-specific information processing unit 1531 will be described. Here, a case where the terminal-specific transmitting / receiving unit 1531a activates the transmitting / receiving object by software will be described.
The terminal-specific information processing unit 1531 executes a process related to transmission and reception of data depending on a terminal attribute.

First, the access signal from the information terminal is received by the terminal-specific transmission / reception unit 1531a via the access unit 151 (step S1102). Here, the terminal-specific transmitting / receiving unit 1531a activates the terminal-specific transmitting / receiving object based on the attribute information from the terminal (step S110).
4). In this case, the terminal attribute information is stored in the terminal information management unit 15.
34 information is inherited. Here, the attributes for each terminal are as follows:-Register in advance in the terminal information management unit-Automatically register from the terminal to the server when establishing a session with the terminal-When the session is established, display the menu screen to the user For example, it may be displayed and selected by the user.

After the transmission / reception object has been activated, a communication path is established (step S1106). If the communication path can be normally established (YE in step S1106)
S), an authentication process is executed (step S1108). In this authentication process, authentication is performed using an identifier used by the security unit 152 and used in the apparatus, in addition to the ID and password used by the user. After this authentication is performed, the session is specified based on the identifier. The authentication information and the authentication process held in the user information storage unit 1531b are obtained from the security unit 152 (when the authentication process in the security unit 152 is performed first). After the authentication process, the terminal receives the service of the applied function via the terminal-specific information processing unit 1531, and stores the session information with the terminal in the session information acquisition unit 15313 (step S1110).

Here, the session information is a logical connection relationship. When the line is normally disconnected, the session information is released. However, when the line is not normally disconnected, the session information is maintained, so that the process can be recovered from the session information at the next connection of the line. This is because if the connection between the server computer 15 and the information terminal is disconnected, the information immediately before the connection is disconnected can be automatically restored to the state before the line disconnection. Also, as will be described later, information is received from the conversion communication unit 1533 in the basic standardized document format, but at the time of data transmission / reception, the transmission / reception object for each terminal is changed from the basic standardized document format to the information format adapted to the terminal attribute based on the terminal attribute. Transform the data.
Further, when transmitting information to the conversion communication unit 1533, control information / parameters are added so that the information can be converted into a basic standardized document, and the data is transmitted.

If the communication path cannot be established in step S1106 (N in step S1106)
O), an error message is displayed and error processing is performed (step S1112), and the processing ends. If the authentication processing has failed in step S1108 (NO in step S1108), an error message is displayed and error processing is performed (step S1114), and the processing ends.

Next, the flow of the process of the conversion communication unit 1533 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The conversion communication unit 1533 executes a process of converting information depending on a terminal attribute or a service attribute provided by an applied function into a basic standardized document format. The basic structured document is a format for managing information in the present system. It should be noted that, depending on the contents of services provided by the application functions, HTML (Hype
The basic structured document may be realized by using a grammar of r Text Markup Language).

Referring to FIG. 12, the flow in the case where information flows from the information terminal to the application function conversion unit 153 and the application service providing unit 154 will be described. First, information having a terminal-specific attribute is received (step S1202), and information input from the terminal side is obtained from the terminal attribute information (step S1204). The information is converted from the obtained information into a basic structured document format (step S1206).
When the information is converted into the basic structured document, the result is stored in the basic structured document storage unit (step S120).
8). Then, the information is transferred to the application function interface 1
532 (step S1210).

Next, a case where information flows from the application service providing unit 154 and the application function conversion unit 153 to the information terminal will be described with reference to FIG. First, information from the application service providing unit 154 is received (step S130).
2), obtain the information provided by the application service providing unit 154 from the attribute information / parameter of the application function (step S)
1304). The information is converted from the obtained information into the basic structured document format (step S1306), and when the information is converted into the basic structured document, the result is stored in the basic structured document storage unit (step S1308). Then, the information is transmitted to the terminal-specific information processing section 1531 (step S1310).

When the transmission / reception unit detects the disconnection of the line, the session can be maintained, so that the session and the contents of the basic structured document storage unit can be matched by the connection of the next line.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even in a mobile computing environment, work equivalent to work in an office can be continued. That is, it is possible to provide an application service according to the processing capability of each information terminal device, and to provide an application service according to the communication capability of the communication infrastructure even when a plurality of communication infrastructures are mixed.

Further, even in the case of communication disconnection in which communication is interrupted on the way, in the next connection, data transmission / reception processing can be performed from the interrupted point. If this function is used, in the case of data processing work or the like that requires a long time, the information terminal connects to the server computer 15 and instructs the data processing work or the like, then temporarily disconnects the connection, and after a predetermined time, Upon reconnection, the information terminal can immediately obtain the processing result. In addition, since the information terminal is connected to the server computer for a long time for data processing and the like as in the related art, it is possible to avoid that the information terminal cannot perform any other work at all, and to effectively use the terminal device.

By the way, the above-described method writes, as program information that can be executed by a computer, for example, a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), a semiconductor memory, and various devices. Of course, it is also possible to apply the present invention or to transmit it through a communication medium and apply it to various devices. A computer (server computer) that realizes this apparatus reads the program information recorded on the storage medium, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation according to the program information.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention, work equivalent to work in an office can be continuously performed in a mobile computing environment. That is, it is possible to provide an application service according to the processing capability of each terminal device, and even when a plurality of communication infrastructures are mixed, it is possible to provide an application service according to the communication capability of the communication infrastructure. Moreover, there is an excellent effect that the security function can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately cope with communication disconnection in which communication is interrupted on the way. in addition,
The terminal device can be effectively used even in data processing work requiring a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a network computing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing the internal configuration of an access unit 151 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram showing the internal configuration of a security unit 152 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram showing the internal configuration of an application function conversion unit 153 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram showing the internal configuration of a terminal-specific information processing unit 1531 according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an application function interface unit 1 according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a 532.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary block diagram showing the internal configuration of a conversion communication unit 1533 according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary flowchart showing access processing from the information terminal on the server computer side according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart showing information exchange processing on the server computer side according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart showing encryption processing on the server computer side according to the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a terminal-based information processing unit 1531 according to the embodiment.
4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the processing.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary flowchart showing the flow of processing centered on the conversion communication unit 1533 according to the embodiment, particularly the flow of information from the information terminal to the application service providing unit 154;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing centered on a conversion communication unit 1533 according to the embodiment, particularly a flow of information from the application service providing unit 154 to the information terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 12, 13 Information terminal 14 Network 15 Server computer 151 Access section 152 Security section 153 Application function conversion section 154 Application service providing section 1531 Terminal-specific information processing section 1531a Terminal-specific transmission / reception section 1531b User information storage unit 1531c connection information acquisition unit 1532 application function interface unit 1532a data transmission / reception unit 1532b application function dependent processing unit 1533 conversion communication unit 1533a data transmission / reception unit 1533b terminal input information conversion unit 1533c information format Conversion unit 1533d: Applied function information interpreting unit 1533e: Basic structured document storage unit

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for providing application services such as various application software, various terminal devices receiving application services from the information processing apparatus, and communication for connecting the information processing apparatus to the terminal devices. A distributed network computing system comprising a network, comprising: a network connection unit for interconnecting networks; and an information exchange device provided in the network connection unit, wherein the information exchange device is Access control means for managing connection processing of the terminal; security control means for determining authentication of the terminal device with respect to the access control means; and service of application services provided to the terminal device based on information from the security control means. Data is converted into a format suitable for the terminal device. And a connection control means for managing a connection state with the terminal device and controlling to provide a service content that has been subjected to data conversion by the function conversion means based on the connection state. And a distributed network computing system. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said access control means controls the terminal to execute processing by an appropriate connection management method and an appropriate procedure control method.
A distributed network computing system as described. 3. The distributed network computing system according to claim 1, wherein said security control means executes an encryption process by an appropriate method for said terminal when providing an application service. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said function converting means comprises means for managing information on said terminal, and means for managing information on an interface on an application service and realizing communication with the application service. Item 3. The distributed network computing system according to Item 1. 5. The security control unit issues a new identifier, whereby the security control unit, the access control unit, and the function conversion unit have a unified view regarding an information terminal to be accessed. The distributed network computing system of claim 1, wherein 6. The distributed network computing system according to claim 1, wherein said function conversion means converts the data into a format suitable for the terminal based on a communication system used by the terminal. 7. The connection control means is capable of continuing data transmission from a position interrupted at the time of line disconnection, based on a history of data conversion by the function conversion means and a history of connection status with the terminal device. The distributed network computing system according to claim 1. 8. An access control means for managing a connection process from a terminal which is provided on the network and receives an application service, a security control means for judging authentication of the terminal with respect to the access control means, and the security control Function conversion means for converting the service content of the applied service provided to the terminal into a format suitable for the terminal based on information from the means, and managing the connection state with the terminal device and performing the function conversion based on the connection state Connection control means for controlling the provision of service contents converted by the means. 9. The terminal according to claim 8, wherein said access control means controls the terminal to execute processing by an appropriate connection management method and a procedure control method.
Information exchange device as described. 10. The information exchange apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said security control means performs an encryption process on said terminal by an appropriate method when providing an application service. 11. The security control unit issues a new identifier so that the security control unit, the access control unit, and the function conversion unit have a unified view regarding an information terminal to be accessed. The information exchange device according to claim 8, wherein 12. The function conversion means includes means for managing information on the terminal, and means for managing information on an interface on an application service and realizing communication with the application service. The information exchange device according to claim 8. 13. The information exchange apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said function conversion means converts data into a format suitable for the terminal based on a communication system used by the terminal. 14. The connection control means is capable of continuing data transmission from a position interrupted when a line is disconnected, based on a history of data conversion by the function conversion means and a history of a connection state with the terminal device. The information exchange device according to claim 8. 15. A distributed network computing system for interconnecting, via a network, an information processing apparatus that provides application services such as various application software and various terminal devices that receive application services from the information processing apparatus. An information exchange method used in the network connection environment, which manages connection processing from the terminal, determines authentication or the like of the connected terminal, and provides the terminal to the terminal based on the determination information. Data conversion of the service content of the application service to be performed into a format suitable for the terminal concerned, control of the connection status with the terminal device, and control to provide the service content subjected to data conversion by the function conversion means based on the connection status. Information on distributed network computing system characterized by How to replace. 16. The distributed network computing system according to claim 15, wherein the terminal is controlled to execute connection processing by an appropriate connection management method and a procedure control method. Information exchange method. 17. The method for exchanging information in a distributed network computing system according to claim 15, wherein, when providing an application service, an encryption process is performed on said terminal by an appropriate method. 18. The distributed network computing system according to claim 15, wherein the information on the terminal is managed, and the information on an interface related to the application service is managed to realize communication with the application service. Information exchange method. 19. The information exchange method in a distributed network computing system according to claim 15, wherein data is converted into a format suitable for the terminal based on a communication method used by the terminal. 20. The distributed network computing system according to claim 15, wherein, based on a history of data conversion and a history of a connection state with the terminal device, data transmission can be continued from a position interrupted when the line is disconnected. Information exchange method in the. 21. A method for exchanging information in an environment connected to a network, comprising: managing connection processing from a terminal connected to the network; determining authentication and the like of the terminal connected; Based on the determination information, the service content of the applied service provided to the terminal is converted into data suitable for the terminal, the connection state with the terminal device is managed, and the data is converted by the function conversion unit based on the connection state. A computer-readable storage medium storing program information of an information exchange method in a distributed network computing system, wherein the storage medium is controlled to provide service contents. 22. The distributed network computing system according to claim 21, wherein the terminal is controlled to execute connection processing by an appropriate connection management method and a procedure control method. A computer-readable storage medium storing program information of an information exchange method. 23. An information exchange method in a distributed network computing system according to claim 21, wherein when providing an application service, an encryption process is performed on said terminal by an appropriate method. A computer-readable storage medium storing program information. 24. The distributed network computing system according to claim 21, wherein the information on the terminal is managed and the information on an interface related to the application service is managed to realize communication with the application service. Computer-readable storage medium storing program information of an information exchange method according to the present invention. 25. The distributed network computing system according to claim 21, wherein, based on a history of data conversion and a history of a connection state with the terminal device, data transmission can be continued from a position interrupted when the line is disconnected. A computer-readable storage medium storing program information of an information exchange method in a computer.